Daniel Diet for Fasting
From LoveToKnow Diet
The Daniel diet for fasting is based on the book Fasting For Spiritual Break-Through: A Guide to Nine Bible Fasts by Elmer L. Towns. Its premise is that our bodies are a temple of God so it is our responsibility to take care of it. Followers of this diet believe they will achieve spiritual enlightenment though the following of this fast, which is similar to the diet followed by Daniel when he was held captive by the King of Babylon.
Seven Steps of the Daniel Diet for Fasting
This diet is based on seven steps that, when carefully followed, are believed to assist the body in healing itself as well as preventing diseases through nutrition and exercise. Following these steps, along with knowing the food to eat on a Daniel diet fast, is believed to bring you to improved physical and spiritual health.
Step One: Be Specific
This step is important because Daniel was specific in his reasons for rejecting the King’s diet. The King wanted his captives to eat what he felt was a good diet to make them strong. Daniel and his friends rejected this diet because:
- Many of the king’s foods were against Jewish law to partake.
- They had vowed not to drink wine.
- The food presented to them had been offered to idols.
Step Two: Make a Spiritual Commitment
Daniel was committed to following the laws that God had given and refused to defile himself. Those who follow the Daniel diet for fasting are expected to also make a spiritual commitment to God.
Step Three: Your Inner Desire Should be Reflected by Outer Discipline
Daniel wasn’t shy about why he was rejecting the foods common to the Babylonians. He had faith that God would allow him to thrive while consuming not much more than vegetables, grains, legumes and water.
The Daniel diet states that your own health is linked to, not only the choices you make in foods, but also your spiritual commitment and prayer, your time committed to the diet and your commitment to showing your faith through this fast.
Step Four: Prayer
This fast includes praying that you can gain understanding of the role of sin in the health of your body. It also claims that poor health can be a result of the sins you have committed.
Step Five: A Statement of Faith
Those who follow the Daniel diet do so as a statement of their faith, just as Daniel made it clear what his reasoning was for rejecting certain foods. The Babylonians were surprised at how healthy Daniel and his friends were—even healthier than those who were enjoying the King’s rich foods.
Step Six: Learn the Effects of Foods
Perhaps the best advice of this diet is to understand the effects that certain foods have on your body. Understanding this will help you to make better choices in what foods you will allow into your body.
Step Seven: Put the Results in God’s Hands
The Daniel diet for fasting claims to lead to spiritual enlightenment after following it for ten days.
Other Information Sources
There are other books that explain this diet as well as many that advise on Bible-based diets:
- The Beginner’s Guide to Fasting by Elmer L. Towns
- Fasting: Spiritual Freedom beyond our Appetites by Lynne M. Baab
Fasting Diets
Following a fasting type diet, whether for spiritual enlightenment, weight loss or detoxification, should always be done under a doctor’s supervision. If you are pregnant, breast feeding or have health concerns such as diabetes, it isn’t a good idea to follow any type of a fast. Do your research and use common sense to guide your dietary choices.
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Comments
Hi Joy,
Sorry, but the Bible doesn't name the foods specifically. It only says "vegetables". You can read the account for yourself in Daniel chapter 1.
-- Contributed by: Donna SundbladI need the exact foods that Daniel ate.
-- Contributed by: Joy SpringfieldHi Phyllis,
The Daniel fast has no schedule of when to eat, only what to eat. The fast eliminates "worldly foods" and is limited to the foods listed. It allows people to eat of God's bounty when hungry.
-- Contributed by: Donna Sundblad
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